“Meeting the mother felt scarier than meeting the band.”
Flying to Dublin felt completely different from flying to Halifax. Back then, she flew with the spirit of a fan on a mission. Now, she flew with a pounding heart, like a defendant about to face the jury. A jury that just happened to be one of the most famous bands in Ireland.
All her anxiety evaporated the moment she saw Cathal waiting for her at the arrivals terminal. The face she had only seen through a screen for months was now right in front of her, smiling—the genuine smile she now knew so well. Without a second thought, Patricia let go of her suitcase and threw herself into his arms.
Their first hug after so long felt like coming home. The familiar scent of Cathal's cologne, the warmth of his body, it was all real.
"You made it," Cathal whispered into her hair.
"I almost cancelled three times on the plane," Patricia confessed, making Cathal laugh.
The drive to Sharon's house was short. The house wasn't as grand as Patricia had imagined. Located in a quiet Dublin suburb, the house looked warm and full of life, with a slightly messy garden and a few children's bicycles lying on the lawn.
As they stepped inside, the delicious aroma of a roast immediately greeted them. And then, one by one, "the jury" appeared.
The dinner was a beautifully coordinated chaos. Andrea, as expected, immediately became the lead interrogator.
"So, Patricia!" she called from across the table. "Tell us the most annoying thing about Cathal that you discovered through your video calls."
"Andrea!" Sharon and Cathal chided in unison.